Experts on how to pick the right sunscreen

With growing awareness about the importance of sunscreen in our daily routines the question wersquore now posed with is which type of sunscreen to choose Come summer and supermarket shelves are stocked high with different formulations that promise a variety of benefits And then therersquos the allimportant question of SPF mdash how much is suitableReapplying sunscreen every four hours is a must to ensure efficacy says Dollie SolankildquoTopical sunscreens are essentially of two types based on how they protect your skin from sunlight These include chemical sunscreens that donrsquot just deflect sunlight and but also absorb certain UV radiations while physical or mineral sunscreens act as barriers to only deflect sunlightrdquo explains Dr Batul Patel a dermatologist and founder of The Bombay Skin Clinic She adds that most commonly available formulations for chemical sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays While UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and contribute to skin cancers including malignant melanoma that resemble black moles UVA rays penetrate deeper and cause premature skinageing changes including wrinkle formation photoageing Such sunscreens are called broadspectrum sunscreensDr Batul PatelPhysical or mineral sunscreens on the other hand comprise ingredients such as zincoxide and titaniumdioxide ldquoWhile in the past mineral sunscreens were heavier on the skin and would leave a white cast newer formulations have reduced the particle size so that these can be worn comfortablyrdquo she suggests The third type of sunscreens is oral sunscreens that fortify your skin internally against sun damage These include antioxidants such as Vitamin C and glutathione Dr Patel recommends physical sunscreens for children and individuals with sensitive skinldquoIf you are more prone to pigmentation melasma and sunburns use a chemical sunscreen and layer this with a physical sunscreen when stepping outdoorsrdquo she advises Oral sunscreens cannot be used in isolation mdash pair these with either a physical or a chemical sunscreen or use a combination of bothRegardless of the type of sunscreen you choose regular reapplication every four hours is a must to ensure efficacy adds beauty blogger Dollie Solanki Waterproof formulations begin to lose their efficacy within 40 minutes of water exposure warns Dr Patel If you wear makeup Solanki suggests investing in SPFfortified colour cosmetics and portable SPF sprays for easy reapplicationChoose the right SPFSPF 15 blocks 93 per cent of UVB radiation while SPF 30 blocks nearly 97 per cent However products with a higher SPF may cause irritation to sensitive skin types Dr Patel suggests using a sunscreen with SPF 15 that is comfortable to wear and reapply frequently instead of applying a thinner layer of a higher SPF sunscreen